The Pankow district of Berlin is always a good place to spot informative graffiti, but my most recent sighting on WolankstraÃe takes the biscuit. Freiheit ist Terror! it read. It is a peculiarly German turn of phrase that verges on the untranslatable. Suffice to say that Freiheit means freedom.

The Nordic countries, with the exception of Iceland, have emerged as a relatively safe haven during the eurozone crisis. Many say this fiscal strength is due to reforms made after a banking crisis in the early 1990s, finds George Mitton.

The asset servicing industry in the Nordics is fiercely competitive, though increased demand for compliance and consulting services means there are business opportunities. But it's all hands on deck to deal with the waves of regulation ready to hit the industry.

The time when fund administrators did only fund administration is in the distant past, finds Nicholas Pratt, in an introduction to this year's survey of third-party providers, which includes our annual directory.

Alternative assets are set to rise but fragmentation is still a problem for the AIFMD, which is soon due for its second iteration. Managers need to rely on service providers more than ever, says Anja Grenner of Intertrust.

As China continues to open its financial sector to foreign investors and embed itself ever deeper into the global economy, now is the time to handpick the stocks and investment targets that foreign investors crave, says Jun Li, chief investment officer of Sagard China.

Roundtables & Panels

Jersey’s ability to innovate, its potential role as a post-Brexit bridge between the UK and the EU, and a significant increase in alternative assets were among the topics discussed by our panel. Chaired by Romil Patel in St Helier.

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Brexit debate

The Leaver, the Remainer

Watch the debate between the pro-Brexit Roger Bootle and pro-Remain Gina Miller which took place at the SGG Thought Leadership Series event in January. Also watch the panel that followed on the distribution of UK funds into the EU and much more!